The start of free agency is officially within a week’s time for the Bruins and the rest of the NHL.
And while the Bruins have their sights set on being ‘aggressive’ and trying to tackle some major areas of need with over $21 million in cap space (and a number that’ll only go up if and when Linus Ullmark is traded), the club also has some decisions to make on their own pending free agents.
Jake DeBrusk
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 26: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the second period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on February 26, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
As of right now, the writing seems to be the wall for a split between the Bruins and winger Jake DeBrusk.
Speaking at break-up day, DeBrusk was forthright about the disappointment that came with not getting a deal done during the season (he even used to the term ‘shocked’ at one point) given his own desire to get one done, and Sweeney’s break-up day comments on DeBrusk seemed to have an air of finality to them. One thing that felt especially telling was Sweeney speaking in the past tense when it came to their approach to contract talks with DeBrusk, and Sweeney openly noting that DeBrusk will have options in free agency given his finish to the season.
Already one of the most polarizing players in recent Bruins history, DeBrusk’s game was up and down in 2023-24, with 19 goals and 40 points in 80 games played. A broken hand suffered just before the bye week didn’t help DeBrusk’s scoring game (he went without a point in 11 of his 12 games in February), but the scoring return for the postseason, where DeBrusk was Boston’s most potent scorer, with a team-best five goals and 11 points in 13 games.
Recent extensions around the league have likely put DeBrusk in the range of making at least $6-6.5 million per year on his next deal, and that not be something that the Bruins are interested in given his inconsistencies and their desire to plug some other holes on the roster (particularly when it comes to their need for a top-six center).
DeBrusk, drafted by the Bruins with the No. 14 overall pick in the infamous 2015 NHL Draft, has recorded 138 goals and 266 points in 465 career games with the Bruins, with his 138 goals ranking as the 12th-most among the entire ’15 class. His 27 career playoff goals, meanwhile, are the third-most among that 2015 class, while his 47 points are the sixth most, sandwiched between Mitch Marner and Mathew Barzal.
Danton Heinen
Jan 20, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Danton Heinen (43) reacts after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at the TD Garden. (Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports)
The Bruins and Danton Heinen’s camp recently sat down with the hopes of hammering out a contract extension to keep the versatile wing in Boston, but with a week to go before the start of free agency, Heinen remains unsigned.
Heinen’s preference is to stay with the Bruins, but the 28-year-old is also looking at a sizable raise from the league-minimum $775,000 he played on after parlaying a tryout into a contract with the Bruins.
Heinen’s 17 goals in 2023-24 were his most since a career-high 18 with the Penguins in 2021-22, while his 36 points were his most since a career-high 47 with Boston in 2017-18. Heinen also ranked sixth on the Bruins in even-strength points (34), and his 2.13 even-strength points per 60 ranked 92nd out of a group of 226 forwards with at least 900 even-strength minutes played in 2023-24.
Given the way last offseason went for him, and the natural uncertainty that comes with players like Heinen in a game that continues to get younger and younger, it’s worth wondering if the Bruins could save a few nickels if they were to offer Heinen a multi-year deal. Heinen is one of these players who can move all around your lineup, and never seems to make a line worse. Those players have value, especially when you’re big game hunting at other spots in the lineup.
Milan Lucic
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) looks for the puck during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
The reunion between the Bruins and Milan Lucic was looking like a potential home run for both sides. Not only did Lucic arrive to camp in tremendous shape (speaking from a pure fitness standpoint, he honestly looked better in 2023 than he did in his final season with Boston), but Lucic was looking like someone who could be a legit bottom-six presence for the club. But a lower-body injury put him on the shelf after just four games with the Bruins, and then came a domestic violence arrest that by all means ended his season and perhaps his NHL career.
Lucic is not in the Bruins’ plans for the 2024-25 season.
Pat Maroon
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 15: Pat Maroon #61 of the Boston Bruins looks on against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on April 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
If there’s one thing I learned about Pat Maroon during my obviously limited interactions with him, it’s that he’s not a guy who minces his words or dances around how he feels. So, allow me to lay it for you like this: Pat Maroon does not feel like the Bruins got the best version of him in 2024. He arrived to Boston on the heels of back surgery (and I get the sense that the Bruins did not agree with the medicals they received from the Wild), and he was given just a handful of games before he had to ramp right up into playoff action. He also loved his time with the Bruins and wants to show Boston fans that he can be and do more for their squad. He also lauded the culture of the locker room.
In other words, he wants back in.
And given the way the Bruins like to lay out their fourth line (Jim Montgomery’s favorite complexion has two speedsters paired with a guy who wins his wall battles and gets to high-danger areas), Maroon seems like a potential fit. That and the fact that he’s not exactly making big money at this point in his career.
Maroon, who is currently enjoying his offseason on the beaches down in Tampa, is coming off what was a $1 million per season contract.
Jayson Megna
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Jayson Megna (20) looks to make a pass during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
A veteran ‘tweener’ type who can either slot onto your NHL fourth line or AHL top six, Jayson Megna was a steadying veteran presence for the Baby B’s this past season, with 19 goals and 56 points (second-most) in 69 games for AHL Providence. The Bruins also gave Megna an NHL look with a 11:45 outing in Boston’s regular season finale. The 34-year-old Megna has scored 12 goals and 33 points in 204 NHL games since 2013-14.
Anthony Richard
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Anthony Richard (90) skates against the New York Rangers during the first period at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
Similar to his run with the Canadiens before joining the Bruins, the points came in bunches for Anthony Richard during his brief Boston run, with all three of his points coming within a four-game stretch during his nine-game run in the NHL this past season. Richard was a more consistent threat down in the minors, with 25 goals and 55 points in 59 games for the P-Bruins. For players like Richard, the landing spot is really about the best opportunity to break through for a potential full-time NHL role. Given the money the B’s have to play with, as well as what they hope will be a step forward from some of their younger talents, Boston may not be that city like it was for him a year ago.
Oskar Steen
Feb 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Oskar Steen #62 takes a shot against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at TD Garden. (Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports)
One of Boston’s Group 6 free agents, the Bruins and Oskar Steen have already acknowledged that they’re parting ways this offseason. The real question here is whether Steen’s next opportunity comes in the NHL or overseas. A 2016 sixth-round pick of the Bruins, the 5-foot-9 Steen recorded four goals and eight points in 60 NHL games with the Bruins, and was seemingly waived into no man’s land late in the regular season after posting one goal in 34 games.
James van Riemsdyk
Dec 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) gets set for a face-off during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)
If you wanna talk about bad luck, you want to talk about James van Riemsdyk’s finish to his 2023-24 season. One of Boston’s most pleasant surprises around the halfway mark of the season, ‘JVR’ cooled down after the bye and was then hit with a major virus in March. The virus saw van Riemsdyk drop 15 pounds, and it felt like he simply couldn’t get back on the horse and return to his early-season form for the Bruins.
On a one-year, $1 million contract last season, it’s worth noting that van Riemsdyk is now 35 years old, making him eligible for a bonus-laden contract that could lower his initial cap hit for the 2024-25 season. If the Bruins attempt to replace DeBrusk in the aggregate (much like they did with Tyler Bertuzzi last season), keeping a guy like van Riemsdyk around for another run — and as a capable net-front power-play option — isn’t out of the question.
Derek Forbort
Dec 11, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Derek Forbort (28) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports)
For better or worse, the Bruins also viewed Derek Forbort a bit differently than the fans did. The Bruins valued Forbort’s willingness to block shots and do the dirty work on the penalty kill to help keep the B’s (let’s be honest) more important defensemen out of danger with those heavier, uglier, injury risk-loaded minutes. But this past season was a nightmarish one for Forbort, all things considered, and his struggles were downright brutal. To the point where it felt like a legitimate disservice to keep throwing him out there at less than 100 percent.
Undergoing two separate procedures on his groin and a thumb surgery, the fact that Forbort was able to get back into action for a playoff game felt like a damn miracle. But it was also probably a sign for the Bruins that it’s time to move on before more injuries follow. And that is indeed expected to be the case for the B’s this summer, as the team by all means acquired his replacement (though he’s a right shot) with the deadline addition of Andrew Peeke.
Matt Grzelcyk
Dec 19, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports)
The Bruins and Matt Grzelcyk did not have any contract talks during the season, and it seems like a split is on the way for the Bruins and the Charlestown, Mass. native. There’s been some rumblings that Grzelcyk would take a discount to stay with the Bruins, but it’s impossible to see how that really makes sense for all involved given the way the Bruins have handled Grzelcyk in back-to-back postseasons and what the Bruins will likely want out of that left-side defensemen competing for a role behind Mason Lohrei and Hampus Lindholm.
At his best, Grzelcyk was a solid defenseman that aided the B’s transition game and fit with Charlie McAvoy as a defenseman who could help him retrieve pucks behind the net and make solid D-to-D decisions to spark a strong breakout. But whether it was because of the injuries that mounted (Grzelcyk dealt with a sports hernia in 2023-24) or confidence, Grzelcyk’s game trended down in a major way this past season.
At this point, it’s probably best if the sides have a clean break.
Daniel Renouf
Oct 2, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) and Boston Bruins defenseman Dan Renouf (44) battle for position in front of goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1). (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports)
A veteran AHL defenseman, Dan Renouf recorded six goals and 32 points in 117 games with AHL Providence over his two-year run with the organization. He also made one NHL appearance for the Bruins over that span, and took his lumps in that outing, with a minus-3 rating in that game.
Kevin Shattenkirk
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: Kevin Shattenkirk #12 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the third period against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Bruins fulfilled every 2009 forum poster’s dream in 2023 with the signing of Boston University alum Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year deal. Inked to be Connor Clifton’s replacement, Shattenkirk gave the Bruins what you realistically could have hoped for out of his game at this point in his career, with 24 points in 61 games played.
The 35-year-old Shattenkirk was noticeably better when given a night off here and there, and his best contribution came with a speech the night before Boston’s Game 7 win over the Maple Leafs where the Cup winner encouraged his teammates to play with no regrets. If Shattenkirk were to return for another B’s run next season, Shattenkirk knows that it would once again be in a reduced role, and hasn’t scoffed at that possibility.
“I would love it to be here,” Shattenkirk said when asked to envision his next season. “You know, I love this group, and am excited about where they’re going. But, for sure, I think at this point I’ll be looking at somewhere that is a good fit for me, and I think that’s going to be probably the same thing for teams. You know, it’s not like they’re trying to bring in a young guy with maybe a higher different ceiling than me, I think it’s something that I’m gonna have to just see how it plays out and see what teams are looking at. Like I said, hopefully it’s Boston.”
Something worth noting is that the Bruins are pretty set on their right side with McAvoy, Peeke, and Brandon Carlo, and with Shattenkirk sitting just 48 games from 1,000 career games, perhaps he wants to be somewhere where he knows he has a legitimate chance of hitting that without injuries or something else creating the opening.
Reilly Walsh
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Reilly Walsh (92) skates in the neutral zone during the third period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
Another Group 6 free agent, Reilly Walsh is slated to hit the free agent market after putting up nine goals and 28 points in 60 games for AHL Providence last season. The North Falmouth, Mass. native, acquired from the Devils in a one-for-one deal involving Shane Bowers, also finished the year with a team-worst minus-17 rating.
Kyle Keyser
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Kyle Keyser (85) gets a drink during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres in the second period at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
Rounding out Boston’s Group 6 free agents, Kyle Keyser is staring down a jump into unrestricted free agency after spending six seasons in the B’s minor-league ranks. In goal for five AHL games this past season, Keyser posted a 1-2-2 record and .873 save percentage, and fell way off the organizational depth chart behind Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro. It wasn’t much better in the ECHL for Keyser, either, with five wins and an .868 save percentage in 16 appearances for the Maine Mariners.
